Man shoots wife, kills himself

A Marion-area man reportedly shot his wife in the face and arm before killing himself Tuesday afternoon. She survived.

Shannon McKinnon, 45, was identified as the man found dead in the living room of a home at 845 Bitterroot Drive. His wife, Gina McKinnon, 40, was reported in critical condition Tuesday night.

Flathead County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident, which reportedly began in front of the couple's children.

Dispatchers received simultaneous calls - one from a woman asking for help and another from a neighbor saying there had been a shooting.

Officers went to the Marion home, knowing only that the woman, seriously hurt, had escaped to a neighbor's house and that the children had fled after she was shot.

The sheriff's office SWAT team and all officers on shift were dispatched, with Kalispell police covering their calls for them.

Gina McKinnon was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center by Marion Ambulance. She was reportedly unable to speak to officers, but wrote replies to their questions.

Officials said Tuesday night they understood she would be transferred to another facility.

As she was on her way to getting medical attention, a negotiator was called in to try to talk Shannon McKinnon out of the house, but he apparently shot himself.

Officers recovered a 12-gauge shotgun from the home.

Bruce Parish, detective commander at the sheriff's office, said officers didn't know immediately what led to the violence at the home.

"They were arguing. He shot her," he said.

Neighbors were unable to get to their homes because of roadblocks during the event. One said the couple often disagreed when alcohol was involved.

Parish said there had been domestic disturbances at the home.

"Yes, we've responded out here before," he said.

The children were said to be in the care of friends and family.

Reporter Chery Sabol may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at csabol@dailyinterlake.com